The National tribune., 1887-01-20
OUR RURAL TOPICS.
Some Practical Suggestions for Our
Agricultural Readers
KEEP THE STABLE SWEET.

KEEP THE sTABLE SWEET.
The great difficulty in the way of producing
first quality Winter milk is stable odor. We
have large quantities of as well-made butter as
one could wish to see, condemned to third
grade price simply because of this faint. The
same difficulty exists in the production of milk
for family consumption or for sale at condens-
ing factories. With the latter rigid inspec-
ton of the stables of the patrons is made once
or twice week, and this is found necessary in
order to keep the milk free from stable faint.
We cannot urge upon dairymen too strongly
the excellent results Of using common land
plaster in this connection. We have tried it
the present season, and the effect is far beyond
even what we had anticipated. A light sprink-
ling of the plaster in the cutters and under the
cows every night and morning will completely
absorb all odors, and what is of equal value it
will take up the ammonia and other valuable
constituents in the urine which would other
wise be lost Besides the plaster is not wasted,
but is retained in the manure TO work its valu-
able mission on the soil. The cost is trihing,
and we are sure every dairyman will be pleased
with its use Try it and see how nicely it
works.-Hoards Dairy.
GROW MORE FRUIT.
We do not believe that it is a mistake in any
direction to advise farmers to grow more fruit.
The quantity of small fruit has been increasing
for many years and been growing better. But
grand as the development of small-fruit has
been it has still a grander future before it.
Every year adds to the ranks Of the small-fruit
culturists and the increase Of demand will keep
pace with the increased supply. The world
has much to learn about fruit yet. It is not
nearly so universally informed Of the benefits
of fruit consumption as it will be. Some time
in the futre there will be two dishes of fruit
on the average table and one plate of meat, in
stead OF, as now, two plates of meat and per-
haps no fruit at all; aud when that time
comes we shall have better health and even
better state of morals, for it can be shown that
morals and good health go together. 1t is the
weak feeling, the all-goneness which many
experience that leads to the intoxicating cup
in many intances and TO other vices. With
good health comes good feeling, and that
prompts to the preservation of good feeling,
which depends upon good health.
PROTECTION OF SHEEP.
An Ohio correspondent Of the National Stock
man writes: While il is almost universally con-
coded that it will pay to provide good shelter
for the protection of sheep during the Winter
and well too, without any protection, while
Others have merely straw sheds Where good
attention is given in the way of feed have
seen sheep go through the Winter better
without shelter than other flOcks that seemed
to be well cared for, and had ample protection.
My experience in housing has not been at all
times satisfactory. Especially of late years it
seems almost impossible 70 get them through in
the condition that person would desire who has
any ambition to excel and at times am almost
led TO abandon the shelter and try the outdoor
plan. Last Winter we had few bucks that
were in the way about the barn, and not caring
much what became of them we turned them
loose in an open field without shelter Of any
sort, and with them there were a couple Of
yearling wethers, one of which / calculated
would die anyhow. They were fed some corn
fodderor hay once day in rough weather, with
a little grain, and all came through in splendid
condition, the bucks shearing fifteen pounds of
nice wool; while those at the barn took con-
tinual care, and after all that could be done
several died.
HOMEMADE BUTTER.
The home butter maker has one advantage
over the batter maker at the factory. 1t is this,
sGys the Ohio Farmer: His cream remains at
home, subjected to proper conditions, while that
of the creamery is trundled about for hours,
and many times exposed to the heat Of the sun.
Ii will be said that creamery butter sells at o
much higher price than farm or private dairy
butter. This need not be so, for if the farmer
produces as good an article as he can produce,
puts il up in acceptable packages or forms, and
seeks customers among good families, hotels, or
dealers who supply such, he will obtain the
highest price and always have steady market.
NOTES.
Run the roller over the field wherever the
wheat has been thrown up by the frost.
The hast yvav IN iuAuQa the hans m Iav or
this season is to provide them with warm quar-
tiers and feed meat three or four times per
week.
The fall colts may be given all the ground
oats they can eat. As the mares will have but
little labor to perform at this season, there will
be no necessity for weaving the colts before
Spring.
Am excellent mode of utilizing any spare
time of Winter is to clean up and burn all dried
grass and weeds. Trimming trees and vines
may be done any time between now aud Spring.
"A musty cellar is death 10 milk or cream,
but it seems impossible to pound it into the
heads of some people. More butter is ruined
by bad cellars and caves than from any other
cause on the farm.
Beef may be smoked or corned at this sea-
son with but little difficulty, and the farmer
who raises steer for his own use annually will
be provided with better quality of meat than
if he depend upon the pork barrel.
1t has been ascertained by series OF ex-
periments that rye and Winter wheat terminate
at $50 Of heat; barley, oats, fax, clover and the
pea at $50; Indian corn at 49,; turnip at 32o;;
carrot at $50, and the bean at I0o
The plan of farmer for securing large
crops is thus stated by him: 81 tell my men to
harrow the ground until they think it is har-
rowed twice as much as il ought to be, and then
j tell them il is not narrowed half enough"
Thorough pulverization of the soil is more inn
portant than any other work bestowed upon
crop.
"A correspondent gives a very simple and
easily-tried means of driving rats from the
promises, and which he says is very effective.
Take copperas the quantity TO depend upon
the number of buildings or places infested /;
pulverize it very fine and sprinkle it in all the
buidings-in fact, in every place where they
have been in the habit of frequenting. In a
few days, according to the writer, all the rats
will be gone.
SUNDAY MEDIATION.
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